Candidate and parent press Nassau school board on vouchers and discipline in public comment

Two public commenters used their three minutes at the Nassau County School Board meeting on May 14 to raise sharply different concerns that the board may consider in future discussions.

Chad Charland of Fernandina Beach criticized the state’s expansion of school‑choice scholarships, saying the policy ‘‘diverts public money from public schools’’ and citing a Florida Policy Institute finding that ‘‘69% of those using the vouchers were already attending private schools.’’ Charland told the board that statewide scholarship spending rose ‘‘from 1,400,000,000 to almost $4,000,000,000,’’ called HB 1 a ‘‘subsidy for the wealthy,’’ and said he is running for Florida’s 15th District as a non‑party candidate who supports public education.

Later in the public‑comment period, Omar Palmer identified himself as a Nassau resident and parent and described a recent incident involving his 6‑year‑old. Palmer said his child reported the conduct to a teacher and that the school’s disciplinary response was characterized to him as a ‘‘first offense,’’ with no follow‑up emotional support or parent‑to‑parent outreach. He said a 2023 incident at Yulee High School involving social media and racial language showed the conduct is recurring and called for stronger disciplinary measures and education for families.

The board did not provide a detailed response during the public comment period. A staff member noted in discussion that in at least one earlier instance a student was suspended and parents missed work; the transcript does not record follow‑up commitments from the board on the specific cases raised.

Both commenters referenced matters that overlap with district policy and state law: Charland framed HB 1 as a statewide budget and accountability concern, and Palmer raised questions about discipline policy and how the district communicates with families after hate‑speech incidents. The transcript contains the commenters’ assertions and cited figures but does not include supporting documentation; the Florida Policy Institute figure and state spending totals cited by Charland should be verified independently.

The meeting proceeded to other business after the public comments, including administrative approvals and scheduling matters. The board did not take immediate action on items raised in public comment during this session.